Kota Consumer Court Summons Salman Khan Over Rajshree Pan Masala Advertisement

Post by : Mina Rahman

Bollywood actor Salman Khan has been served a notice by the Kota consumer court in Rajasthan after a complaint alleging that promotional material linked to a pan masala product contains misleading statements.

Khan is the appointed brand ambassador for Rajshree, a maker of elaichi and pan masala. The case was brought by Inder Mohan Singh Honey, a senior lawyer and political figure, who asserts that adverts describe the product as "saffron-infused cardamom" and "saffron-infused pan masala"—claims he says are implausible given the product's retail price of just ₹5. With saffron trading at roughly ₹4 lakh per kilogram, the complainant questions the authenticity of those statements.

The petition notes that such representations may encourage pan masala use among young people. It highlights that pan masala is a major contributor to oral cancer and argues that high-profile endorsers should avoid promoting items that pose significant health risks.

The Kota Consumer Court has issued notices requesting responses from both Salman Khan and Rajshree’s manufacturer. The next hearing is scheduled for 27 November, pending formal replies from the parties involved.

While Khan is associated with Rajshree elaichi, the complaint points out he has not featured in advertisements for the brand's pan masala product. The petitioner maintains, however, that the overall branding could still influence consumer behaviour, especially among younger demographics.